Chapter 134: Dancing at Drunken Lyric Tower
Chapter 134: Dancing at Drunken Lyric Tower
Lan Xiaozhu nodded. “Your overflowing confidence makes you more mesmerizing.”
Caiyun shared this sentiment, having personally observed Cheng Lingyu’s transformation process.
Lan Xiaozhu began her calculations. The Key of Fate in her hand pulsed with mysterious strength while celestial annihilation energy flowed through her, swiftly entering Cheng Lingyu’s body before dissolving.
Her form started radiating light as countless runes surfaced, weaving intricate Patterns mostly clustered along her left side.
Her right hand gripped Cheng Lingyu’s left hand, the entire right half of her body flickering with a murky, void-like glow.
Her left hand clenched the Key of Fate, streams of dazzling light escaping between her fingers to form Patterns reminiscent of Stars across the heavens—unfathomably mystical.
Caiyun observed silently, her lovely face contemplative.
The Key of Fate glowing was expected.
But why did Lan Xiaozhu’s right side appear void-like? And why did Cheng Lingyu exude that distant, hollow aura?
Caiyun had long suspected Cheng Lingyu harbored Top Secrets. Even he couldn’t explain it, and her own investigations had yielded nothing.
Lan Xiaozhu trembled faintly. Through the Key of Fate’s power, she glimpsed the Five-Color Celestial Cloud, fragmented images, and the final result.
Her eyes snapped open. “I saw it!”
Cheng Lingyu leaned forward. “What?”
Releasing his hand, Lan Xiaozhu laughed. “The outcome we want. Caiyun can claim the Five-Color Celestial Cloud—but you can’t accompany her tonight.”
“Why?”
Cheng Lingyu frowned.
“Your Burning Heaven Method’s cultivation would disrupt the Cloud, hindering its merging with Caiyun.”
“Then I’ll wait at the inn.”
He yielded easily—securing the Cloud mattered most.
Caiyun interjected, “No waiting. You’ve another task tonight.”
She drew him aside, outlining his mission.
Cheng Lingyu paled. “This… isn’t… proper.”
Caiyun arched a brow. “Unwilling? Or incompetent?”
“It’s just… too outrageous.”
He grimaced, clearly reluctant.
“Refusal’s pointless. Succeeding’s uncertain anyway. Go. We’ll regroup at dawn.”
She turned, seizing Lan Xiaozhu’s arm to depart.
Cheng Lingyu’s lips twitched uselessly.
“Senior Sister forces me to Drunken Lyric Tower? This is cruelty.”
The task: infiltrate Drunken Lyric Tower tonight. Uncover Hong Xiu Tian Xiang’s origins. Secure the courtesan’s body.
Absurd—yet though Caiyun offered no explanation, Cheng Lingyu understood the unspoken stakes.
Drunken Lyric Tower stood in the eastern district of Huoyun City. By the time Cheng Lingyu arrived, the hour had grown late.
The establishment thrived, drawing many cultivators who vied for Hong Xiu Tian Xiang’s attention through schemes and displays of prowess.
Cheng Lingyu requested a wine jug and settled alone on the second floor, absorbing the haunting zither music.
Hong Xiu Tian Xiang’s skill held a soul-stirring power, ensnaring those with weaker cultivation levels.
Over a hundred cultivators filled the tower. Those above the Ninth Level swayed in drunken euphoria, barely a handful retaining clarity.
Veiled at the zither platform, Hong Xiu Tian Xiang played with focus while discreetly observing the crowd.
When Cheng Lingyu appeared, faint surprise flickered in her eyes—she hadn’t anticipated his presence.
The music swelled like tides, soft crests dancing with playful rhythm.
Cheng Lingyu sat smiling, his true essence utterly sealed. Visible yet undetectable, he resembled a ghost—present but unfelt.
“Tonight, I thank you all,” Hong Xiu Tian Xiang announced. “To repay your fervor during my stay in Huoyun City, one among you shall receive a private performance.”
The tower erupted. Young cultivators buzzed with ambition, each craving the honor.
Cheng Lingyu studied the crowd—mostly True Martial Realm cultivators, a few Soul Martial Realm experts, and one standout figure.
On the third floor loomed a golden-robed man, handsome and aloof. A sword-bearing youth of fifteen stood beside him, posture reverent.
The man’s pale gold eyes shimmered with sword phantoms, his piercing gaze radiating a powerful aura.
“Will she pick him?” Cheng Lingyu mused. The golden-robed man outshone all; were he in Hong Xiu Tian Xiang’s place, the choice seemed obvious.
As the music resumed, a wine cup levitated before Hong Xiu Tian Xiang, its amber contents glowing under lantern light.
“This wine carries my gratitude for tonight’s chosen guest.”
The cup spiraled mid-air, weaving between floors as cultivators leapt up, straining to intercept it.
Hong Xiu Tian Xiang guided the cup with playful elegance, her eyes glinting. Cheng Lingyu remained still, certain the golden-robed man would claim the prize.
Yet the cup circled thrice before halting before Cheng Lingyu.
Every gaze locked onto him, thick with envy and resentment. A blade-sharp glare pierced from the third floor.
Cheng Lingyu drank deeply, then chuckled. “Women mirror wine, music mirrors dreams—this cup lives up to both.”
None recognized him. Though fair-faced, he drew scowls from the crowd.
“A stranger wins the lady’s favor on his first visit? Most enviable! What shall we call you, brother?”
Cheng Lingyu smiled. “I drift rootless as wind and dreams. Meetings part, life yields to death—let distant roads bury remembrance.”
Hong Xiu Tian Xiang laughed. “‘Bury remembrance’—well said, Young Master Cheng.”
She floated to his side, zither in arm, her grace snaring every longing stare.
As she led him away, disappointment hung heavy. The golden-robed man stayed motionless, gaze frosty.
They reached the garden’s rear pavilion—Hong Xiu Tian Xiang’s temporary quarters.
Upon entering the pavilion, Hong Xiu Tian Xiang set down her zither and guided Cheng Lingyu to her private chamber, personally serving him fragrant tea.
“Try it and tell me what you think.”
She sat across from him, lifting her veil to reveal delicate features.
Cheng Lingyu sipped and wrinkled his brow. “Bitter.”
Hong Xiu Tian Xiang laughed. “Good – it means you’re clear-headed against feminine wiles. Where’s your Senior Sister?”
“She had urgent matters. Why did you come to Huoyun City?”
Cheng Lingyu deflected the question.
“Yunyang City grew complicated. I sought new prospects here.”
Her luminous eyes studied him. “You’ve changed since we last met. Gained… magnetism.”
“Hong Xiu Tian Xiang, you flatter me. I’ve merely become more outgoing.”
Though not among Yunyang’s top ten beauties, her allure surpassed ordinary standards. Cheng Lingyu privately compared her to Lan Xiaozhu – two contrasting blossoms.
Under his gaze, pink blossomed across her cheeks. Her dewy eyes shimmered.
“Just Hong Xiu…”
The whisper thickened the air between them.
Cheng Lingyu’s lips quirked with Arrogance, eyes glinting dangerously. “Your zither mastery suggests equal skill in dance.”
“Want to see?” Her lashes dipped.
When he nodded, she drifted behind him like wind-tossed petals. “I’ll dance if you play. Rare honor.”
“My rusty fingers can’t match yours.” He moved to the zither, adjusting to their isolation.
She hovered just beyond reach, expert in this game of approach-and-retreat. His melody – “Phoenix Courts Phoenix” – soared through the chamber.
Her body swayed like willow branches, gaze liquid fire. Cheng Lingyu’s pulse quickened. Lan Xiaozhu’s innocence paled against this cultivated seduction.
Breaths shortened. Faint magical aura seeped from Cheng Lingyu’s eyes – Heart Invasion’s soul-captivating power from the Third Level of Magic Eyes, precursor to Soul Refinement’s Fourth Layer domination.
Hong Xiu Tian Xiang mirrored his tension. Each sway of hips, each trailing sleeve spoke ancient rituals of Temptation. Ordinary men would’ve crumbled.
As final notes faded, she melted against his shoulder. Fragrant warmth enveloped him.
“Did you like it?”
Her whisper vibrated against his neck, eyes reflecting spring’s first thaw.